A record number of young Bearded Vultures take flight in the Alps 

The Bearded Vulture population in the Alps has reached a major milestone this year, with more than 100 breeding pairs and the highest number of fledglings recorded in a single breeding season since reintroduction efforts began in the 1970s. It’s a big step forward, and one that reflects decades of conservation work and long-standing cooperation across borders. 

This achievement is thanks to the steady efforts of local partners, dedicated volunteers, and the International Bearded Vulture Monitoring Network (IBM). Together, they have been monitoring 118 occupied territories across the Alps and surrounding regions — carefully tracking each breeding attempt and supporting the long-term recovery of this rare species. 

A growing population across the region 

The 2025 breeding season outpaced last year’s, showing that the Bearded Vulture population isn’t just stable — it’s growing. 

1. Total fledglings: 68  
2. 67 in the Alps 
3. 1 in Corsica – the first fledging there in four years 

Next to the established breeding pairs, nine pairs successfully raised a chick on their first attempt. Usually, Bearded Vulture breeding pairs need a few years to be successful. The results obtained this year show that, despite having little experience, these birds still managed to raise a chick. It also indicates that the population is further expanding into areas not yet colonised in Austria (one new territory), Switzerland (three new territories), Italy (four new territories), and France (one new territory on the mainland and one on Corsica).

The exact nest sites remain undisclosed. Bearded Vultures are highly sensitive to disturbance, and even minor human presence near nests can lead to breeding failure. Protecting these sites is essential for ensuring the safety of both adult birds and their young. 

A closer look at this year’s numbers 

Here’s what the monitoring efforts revealed for the 2025 season: 

1. 118 territories were monitored:  
2. 6 in the eastern Alps with 3 fledglings 
3. 45 in the central Alps with 32 fledglings (4 Austria, 18 Switzerland, 10 Italy) 
4. 46 in the north-western Alps with 26 fledglings (8 Switzerland, 12 France, 6 Italy) 
5. 15 in the south-western Alps with 8 fledglings (6 France, 2 Italy) 
6. 4 in Corsica with one fledgling  
7. 2 in the Massif Central, where no fledglings were recorded 
8. Breeding success rate: 74% (slightly up from last year’s 72%) 
9. Productivity: 66% (same as 2024) 

Breeding failed in 28 out of 95 territories where nesting was attempted, and no signs of nesting were observed in 22 of the monitored sites. 

A shared effort, a shared win 

The Bearded Vulture reintroduction project to the Alps project began in the 1970s as a multinational effort to restore a species that had vanished from the region in 1913 due to hunting and persecution. Since the first releases in 1986, the population has steadily grown, with continued reintroduction efforts in the Swiss, French and Bavarian Alps helping to expand the range eastward and boost genetic diversity as well as expand the population in the French Pre-Alps. Backed by an international captive breeding network, the project is now seen as one of Europe’s most successful wildlife comeback stories. 

This record-breaking year is a direct result of ongoing international cooperation. Scientists, park managers, conservationists, and volunteers across borders work together through the International Bearded Vulture Monitoring Network (IBM), sharing data and expertise to support the species’ recovery. 

The IBM database holds thousands of field observations — with over 1,000 submitted between June and August alone. These records help teams monitor population trends, identify emerging threats, and track individual birds using GPS or distinctive plumage patterns. 

International Bearded Vulture Monitoring Network 

The International Bearded Vulture Monitoring Network (IBM) is a unique international collaboration between national & natural parks and non-governmental organisations, coordinated by the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), to monitor the population of the Bearded Vulture in Europe. 

The IBM-network collects, shares and makes available Bearded Vulture data to everyone working for the species’ conservation. It also uses this data and discusses conservation strategies and priorities for this species worldwide. There are currently 18 partners and two associated organisations part of the IBM-network.